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Preventive dentistry if your foundation for a healthy smile. With regular cleanings and exams, small dental issues can be caught before they turn into large and costly problems. Preventive dental care along with a diligent at-home brushing and flossing routine can help prevent dental issues all together. It’s these small investments in your oral hygiene that lead to a beautiful, healthy smile.
Dental plaque is made up of more than 300 different types of bacteria.
Regular flossing allows you to clean an additional 40% of your tooth surface.
Over 90% of American adults have had a cavity at some point in their lives.
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Dental implants are very common with over 3 million Americans having at least one implant.
At your consultation, your dentist will determine if dental implants are right for you. Your doctor will examine your mouth, take x-rays, and determine if your jaw is strong and healthy enough to support one or more dental implants.
After you’ve been approved for treatment, your dentist will create a surgical plan for your dental implant and go over it with you so you know exactly what to expect. From there, our team will schedule your oral surgery appointment.
Our practice offers local anesthesia to numb the surgical area, and laughing gas to keep you calm during treatment. We can discuss how sedation will make you feel and if it’s the right option for you.
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At your oral surgery appointment, your dentist will create a small opening in your gum tissue, place a dental implant securely in the jaw, then clean the area and suture it shut to encourage proper healing.
Once your implant has been placed, healing will begin. It takes 1-2 weeks to heal completely from surgery, but it will take between 3-6 months for your dental implant to bond permanently with your jaw bone in a process called “osseointegration”.
Give yourself a few days to heal after surgery. Swelling and discomfort for the next 24 hours is normal. Keep your head elevated and use ice packs to reduce swelling. Take any medications as directed by your doctor. And stick to a soft food diet for the first 48 hours after surgery.
Bone grafts, or bone tissue transplants, are used to repair weak, fractured or traumatized bones within the body. The most common use of bone grafting is in preparation of placing a dental implant.
After tooth loss, the jaw begins to deteriorate. This weakened jaw bone needs to be strengthened in order to properly support the post of a dental implant. Bone grafting uses processed bone minerals that stimulate bone growth and the formation of new bone. Healing and recovery from the surgery is similar to that of a tooth extraction, but it will take 3 to 6 months for bone mass to generate.
Basic extractions are typically used for teeth that have been damaged by oral injuries, gum disease, or tooth decay. We will always try to save your tooth first, but sometimes extraction may be necessary.
For example, if a tooth is severely infected, it may not be possible to save it with a root canal. Instead, your dentist may recommend an extraction. Dental implants, and other restorative treatments like dentures, may require extractions as the first phase of the treatment.
Dental implants are the most long-lasting and secure tooth replacement option for patients today. They are comprised of two main parts. The dental implant, or post, is a screw-shaped rod of titanium. The restoration for a single implant is usually a dental crown.
During the placement procedure, the post is permanently placed into your gum and jaw during oral surgery. The site is given significant time to heal as the titanium post osseointegrates with your jaw bone. During healing, a dental crown is manufactured and will eventually be attached to the post with an “abutment.” This dental crown restores the shape, appearance, and function of your natural tooth.
About 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and nearly 40 million Americans have lost all their teeth.
If you’re interested in dental implants as an option to replace your missing teeth, the first step is to get a consultation from your dentist. They’ll be able to examine your mouth and determine the state of your oral health, the health of your jaw and gums, and whether implants are right for you. They can also help guide you on alternative treatment options if you are not a good candidate for dental implants.
A dental implant is made of two parts: a small, screw-shaped piece of titanium called the post, and the restoration, which is usually a dental crown and abutment. Posts are manufactured in a variety of pre-selected sizes to ensure each patient gets the right implant for their needs. In contrast, the restoration is completely custom-made. After your dentist places your dental implant, they will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab.
There, a technician will create a long-lasting, durable dental implant restoration out of porcelain or another high-quality material. This restoration will be sent back to our office, and it will be attached to your dental implant, completing your implant procedure.
Dental implants typically last up to 30 years or more with proper placement and care. In fact, it’s very common for patients to keep their implants for the rest of their lives.
However, the dental implant restoration, such as a dental crown or set of overdentures, usually will not last this long. Your restoration is exposed to regular wear and tear from chewing, biting, and more, and may need to be replaced a few times over the years.
It is possible for dental implants to become infected. This is known as “peri-implantitis.” However, this is a very rare complication, and it typically only occurs if the implant is not cared for and kept clean after surgery.
You can avoid peri-implantitis by following your dentist’s instructions while recovering, and by brushing and flossing regularly after your implant has healed.
Yes. Bone loss occurs when your jaw bone is no longer stimulated by the natural pressure of chewing and biting. Your tooth transmits this force through the root and into your jaw bone, which keeps your jaw bone healthy.
When you lose a tooth, this process stops, and the jaw bone tends to weaken. Since the post of the dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone and acts as a tooth root, it restimulates your jaw bone by transmitting the force of chewing and biting once again.
Some types of dental implant systems can be done in one day. The restoration is usually temporary until you have fully healed from your dental implant placement surgery. This solution allows you to speak and eat normally, however, the restoration is temporary.
As your mouth heals, you’ll attend appointments at your doctor’s office where impressions will be taken. These impressions will guide the manufacturing of your restoration. This permanent restoration will be a more durable, long-lasting, and natural-looking prosthetic than your temporaries.
Dental implants are the only restorative option that preserves and stimulates your natural bone structure.
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